Saskatoon police launch investigation into death of man taken into custody

The Saskatoon Police Service has launched an investigation into an arrest to determine whether an officer's use of physical force contributed to a suspect's death.

On Oct. 23, a stolen vehicle was racing away from police when it crashed into a fence near Bethlehem Catholic High School.

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Saskatoon police said Thursdaythat when officers approached the truck after the crash, they found 21-year-old Jordan Bruce Lafond underneath the rear of the vehicle. Police ChiefCliveWeighillsaid it's believedLafondwas ejected from the truck during the crash, but wasn't run over by the vehicle.

As officers approachedLafond, he reportedly resisted arrest. That's when an officer used his knee to subdueLafond.

Lafondwas taken to hospital following his arrest and died the next day.

I assured [the family] we would use every investigative tool we have to get to the bottom of this.- CliveWeighill,Saskatoon Police Service chief

Now, police are investigating the death and what role if any the officer's use of physical force played.

"We don't know how bad the injuries were from the accident,"Weighillsaid.

An autopsy was done Wednesday to determine that, howeverWeighilldidn't have a timeline for when the results would be available.

Weighillsaid there is video of what happened, but due to the time of the arrest, it is dark. The video has been sent to Edmonton to see if filters can be used to make it more clear.

Lafond'sfamily, along with theFederation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations special investigations unit, has met with the chief about what happened.

"The family's been very co-operative and naturally, they are concerned," said Weighill."But I assured them we would use every investigative tool we have to get to the bottom of this."

The officer involved has been reassigned to an administrative position while the investigation takes place.